Looking forward to Spring with the IFLAS Open Lecture series

As the snow clings defiantly to the fell tops, and the black ice covers the morning commute, it's time to turn thoughts to (slightly) warmer times to come, and find out what the Institute for Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Cumbria has to offer as another series of free Open Lectures takes shape.

First up with the daffodils on the 15th March we have Lynne Franks: How Big Data and Intuitive Creativity Combines in Today’s Cutting Edge Business Messaging

Lynne is considered one of the founders of modern day PR and communications, has launched WYZE, a new consultancy with one of the world’s top data scientists. Using their very different skills sets, they are advising major corporations on engagement and  relationship building with consumers, staff and other stake-holders, based on values-led business strategy.

Lynne will share how the WYZE Consultancy is combining teams of behavioural psychologists, story tellers, artists, data analysts, wellbeing experts and community engagement experts to design cutting edge business strategy.

Lynne will also share her new circular leadership system together with her ‘Me, We, Us’ philosophy, the basis of her new book, The POD (Power on Demand) Effect. Lynne believes that using traditional story telling methods combined with modern technology, is creating awareness of positive change on a personal, community and societal level that resonates on a national and global level.

On April 12th, our second speaker is Mark Drewell: Creating relevant and profitable organisations fit for the 21st Century - insights from a global inquiry into purpose driven business

 

Mark spent the past 18 months conducting a global inquiry amongst executives and thought leaders from businesses around the world on what is coming next - purpose led business. He will share insight from this inquiry in which it was clear that very few organisations successful in the 20th century believe they are set to thrive over the long run in the 21st Century. And that the challenge to work out what to do about it is engaging senior leaders everywhere. 

Mark, MA (Oxon) FRSA, is a global thought and practice leader at the interface between business and society. He is a Senior partner in the Stockholm-based ForeSight Group, he is also the former Chief Executive and Chair of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative, a global coalition of 100 companies and business schools developing the next generation of globally responsible business leaders.
Mark spent 20 years in South Africa where for a decade he was the head of Corporate Affairs for Barloworld and has extensive business experience as a change agent and catalyst for responsible business. He lives in the UK and serves on the advisory boards of the Institute For Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Cumbria as well as the Business School of Lausanne in Switzerland and the Wuppertal Institute’s climate and renewable energy initiative in Berlin.

Then onto May, specifically the 17th, and just in time for the climax of the football season we have head of the Liverpool Football Club Foundation Andrea Cooper: The power of sport to make a positive contribution to the world

Andrea will share her views on how Liverpool FC and sport more widely can make a positive contribution to communities, and how she is progressing that opportunity in her role as Head of the LFC Foundation. 
Andrea joined Liverpool FC Foundation in 2014 bringing a wealth of charity and community experience.
Andrea was brought up in Liverpool and has operated as a trustee on three charities including six years with Street League. Before joining Liverpool FC Foundation, Andrea was Chief Executive of UpRising - a youth leadership development organisation, and has other business and operational experience including work on various major projects at the BBC. Andrea has overall responsibility for all aspects of the Liverpool FC Foundation including the strategic direction, operations and fundraising.  

Then finally for this series, and hopefully coinciding with the soaring temperatures (we can all hope!) on the longest day (21st June) we have Erica Martin: International labour standards and the promotion of sustainable global supply chains

Erica is a lawyer specializing in international labour standards. She has worked at the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations agency focused on the world of work, since 2009. Originally from Canada, Erica is currently based at ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and her advisory work has taken her all over the world. Her work focuses on the international legal instruments related to child labour, forced labour, labour inspection and occupational safety and health, with a focus on special complaints procedures.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights describe the responsibility of business enterprises to respect internationally recognized human rights, which include at a minimum the principles concerning fundamental rights set out in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

The talk will examine the fundamental principles and rights at work (the eradication of child labour, the elimination of forced labour, equality of opportunity and treatment, and freedom of association), and the tripartite development of international labour standards. It will explore the implications of these standards for business and their role in corporate social responsibility initiatives, as well as the increase of labour clauses in trade agreements and the impact of these provisions on enterprises and workers.

So as you can see, we have a veritable smorgasbord of fascinating speakers for you to enjoy for absolutely no charge whatsoever. All we ask is that you come armed with an inquisitive mind and a bucket-load of questions to get the most from your evening.

All the Open Lectures will take place in the Percival Lecture Theatre on the Ambleside campus, and will begin at approximately 5.30pm each evening. You will also get to meet and mingle with our overseas MBA students who will be on the second day of their five-day intensive residential module run in collaboration with the Robert Kennedy College in Zurich.

To book a place on any of these free Open Lectures, please contact us with your name and company/organisation details to iflas@cumbria.ac.uk

(All attendees will be added to our database for future events unless you state otherwise)

To find out more about IFLAS, our future courses and events, visit our webpages on the University of Cumbria website, or follow us on our Twitter page @iflasinfo and Facebook